Immunization Resources

The American Academy of Family Physicians released its online mapping tool that permits members to review vaccine coverage and exemptions by state, serving to help physicians better advocate for immunizations in their community.

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has developed a new one-page chart to illustrate the differences between the two zoster vaccines (Shingrix [RZV]; GSK and Zostavax [ZVL]; Merck). The document provides information at a glance about storage (freezer vs. refrigerator), vaccine type, route...

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) offers a three-part webcast on updated information on influenza vaccine, designed to help doctors increase their vaccine rates. The webcast provides background on prevention, team-building tactics, and education on proper medical coding and billing.

Arizona State University researchers have developed a gene-based technology to produce new antibodies in the fight against infections. In a study published in the journal Current Protocols in Protein Science, the study team describes a new strategy—a gene gun—for producing antibodies against...

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) have published their QuickStats, showing for the past 12 months the percentage of adults ages 65 and older, by poverty status, who have gotten the influenza vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory panel voted to use a new shingles vaccine over a prior version that was thought less effective. This vote followed the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) approval of the new vaccine, Shingrix, made by GlaxoSmithKline, targeting...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed an app containing the latest immunization schedule information as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The app is available for iPhone and Android phones.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the You Call the Shots training modules (16 modules in all), covering a variety of immunization topics. Continuing education credit is available for viewing and completing an evaluation. Learn more at the CDC You Call the Shots...

The FDA approved two strain changes for the 2015-2016 flu season, including a flu vaccine that is free of egg protein, formaldehyde, antibiotics, gluten, gelatin, latex, thimerosal, and other preservatives. The egg-free flu vaccine is called Flublok.

A bill entitled, “Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act” (Senate bill 3477), has been proposed by Senators Mazie Hirono and Shelley Moore. The bill is designed to increase seniors’ access to the shingles vaccine. This article summarizes the rationale for the bill and its supportive...

The American Medical Association (AMA) has assembled a set of best practices to promote adult vaccinations, including giving nudges, using anecdotes, providing recommendations, and working together as a care team. Read more at the AMA Wire article.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provides general facts and links about adult immunization, including an immunization poster which can be downloaded and used for adult immunization promotion.

Use this one-sheet to find and apply strategies that work to increase healthcare staff immunization, courtesy of Health Services Advisory Group, the Quality Improvement Organization for Arizona, California, Florida, Ohio, and the U.S Virgin Islands.

Use this one-sheet to find and apply immunization strategies that work regarding long-term care staff, courtesy of Health Services Advisory Group, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Arizona, California, Florida, Ohio, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Sustainable Health Community Scientific Advisory Board considered lagging influenza immunization rates among older adults, finding that cognitive, behavioral, public health, and social science can play a critical role in helping to increase vaccine uptake. Read more at the EurekaAlert web...

The Medicare Learning Network has created an interactive site providing coding and coverage information for all covered preventive services. Note that this is best viewed using the Internet Explorer browser.

This organization seeks to solve immunization issues, comprising over 130 public and private organizations. NAIIS conference and public events are posted, along with professional committees. In addition, it issues an influenza vaccine availability tracking system as a resource for healthcare...

In an Emory Vaccine Center study in Atlanta, GA, researchers studied 100 adult volunteers to test a flu vaccine patch, where they found that 96 percent of adults who received the patch reported no pain. More importantly, the immune responses of patch users were similar to those of traditional flu...

In 2014, only 61 of older adults received one or both of the pneumococcal vaccines, leaving millions without protection. Similarly, the elderly have been slow to adopt the shingles vaccine, as only 31 percent of those over age 65 have taken the vaccine. Background on these trends and suggestions...

Interactive voice response (IVR) and patient portal messages together may help increase flu vaccine rates, according to a study published by the Journal of General Internal Medicine. The clinical trial involved more than 20,000 patients prior to the 2014–2015 flu season who had not yet been...

Current vaccination rates across the U.S. remain low, but researchers have found that pharmacists can help reverse this trend. According to a clinical study published in JAPhA, when pharmacists perform immunization check-ups and make recommendations at annual health screenings, they can...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created an online series of 15 webinars covering the principles of vaccination, general recommendations, immunization strategies for providers, and specific information about vaccine-preventable diseases and the vaccines that prevent them....

Researchers have discovered that people with diabetes experience longer hospital stays and greater mortality rates associated with community-acquired pneumonia than patients without diabetes. Read the details here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prepared a report updating the 2015–16 recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the use of seasonal influenza vaccines.

The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) updated its translations of its “Screening Checklist for Contraindications to Vaccines for Adults.” Revisions were made recently to add LAIV as an option for influenza vaccines available to people with an egg allergy and other minor edits in references. The...

The Academy and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) have unveiled Shots, a new applet to the AAFP app and a standalone app that provides the latest immunization guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)....

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most flu deaths happen in older patients over the age of 65. In a study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, researchers have discovered that a high-dose vaccine may perform better than its standard-dose counterpart...

The Treating Influenza flyer from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention explains how the influenza vaccine can help those with high-risk factors (asthma, diabetes, and chronic heart disease) experience a milder illness should the flu strike.

The Immunization Action Coalition has just released its updated book, Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide, that can be downloaded at no-cost. Among the how-to lessons included are :
setting up for vaccination services
storing and handling vaccines
deciding which people should receive which...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have created an interactive web-based immunization training course, comprised of modules that discuss vaccine-preventable diseases and explain vaccine recommendations. Once the modules are completed, participants can receive CE credit at the...

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has prepared a vaccine fact sheet as part of its Informational Series for Adults. This one-sheet is designed for adults with diabetes, informing them of recommended vaccines, why they are important, and how they safeguard health.

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has prepared a vaccine fact sheet as part of its Information Series for Adults. This one-sheet is designed for people with heart disease, informing them of recommended vaccines, why they are important, and how they safeguard health.

The last week of April is World immunization Week, aimed to promote immunizations among all people to protect them against disease. A fact sheet on the myths regarding vaccines is provided and debunks a common myth on influenza.

Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG) encourages you to watch the You Call the Shots training modules, covering a variety of immunization topics, while earning continuing education credit. No matter what level of vaccine expertise your healthcare team may have, this 16-part training series can...